• 01
  • September
    2010

Atlanta business attorneys, particularly those who work in the area of alcoholic beverage licensing in Atlanta, have been hearing about fitness centers that are seeking beverage licenses to serve their fitness patrons. The idea being that if people are going to work out and then have some cocktails, the gym could keep them and their dollars by offering both activities under one roof.

The David Barton Gym has gotten alcohol licenses for its locations in Chicago, Miami and New York. It originated with cocktail hours that were offered after its intense boot camp workout classes.

The happy hours were sponsored by the Swedish vodka brand Svedka throughout August.

Gym founder David Barton says, "I want people to find the gym not just a place to work out, but...

a good hang as well."

Customers can finish their workout and then swap their usual smoothies with scoops of protein powder for cocktails made with clementine-flavored vodka, orange juice, sour mix and fresh mint.

Barton didn't think whiskey or tequila really fit with the vibe of the gym. Vodka seemed like the right choice.

Of course, trainers know more about diet than you might want to hear. For instance, they can tell you that a shot has around 100 calories, which takes about a mile of running to burn off.

Doesn't Barton think it's counterproductive to drink after a workout? He looks at it differently. "It's better to work out and drink than to not work out and drink," he said. "Our members have intense lives, and some people party and that's all the more need to work out. I'm not pushing alcohol, but I'm not a prohibitionist."

The drinks are there for the customers' benefit, not the owner's. "I'm not a big drinker," says Barton.

Source: New York Times "Gym Mixes Vodka With Fitness" August 22, 2010